Overview
Understanding conflict and transformative possibilities for addressing conflict are peace building skills that are applicable across disciplines—-in the sciences, social sciences, and humanities. Peace and Conflict Studies provides a lens for understanding social change and upheaval, violence against humanity such as genocide, violations of human dignity, the impact of environmental, economic, political, and social decisions, and the critical role of identity and trauma in human interaction. The Peace and Conflict Studies Interdisciplinary Study Theme facilitates incorporation of this lens into courses and guide students in applying these concepts to particular cases which could be on an interpersonal, community, or global level.
Associated Speakers and Events
In spring 2011, Peace Studies has invited Professor Sudarshan Seneviratne from the University of Peredeniya in Kandy, Sri Lanka Department of Archeology and former head of the Central Cultural Fund to speak on the role of archeology in shaping national identity, its role in both creating and resolving ethnic conflict, and possibilities for creating a multicultural identity.
Related Programs
This Interdisciplinary Study Theme is administered by Peace Studies program, which regularly offers not-for-credit conflict resolution trainings, brings speakers to campus, and sponsors events that directly relate to the focus of the Peace and Conflict Studies IST. In fall 2010, there will be a 28-hour professional mediation training offered during fall break for students, and, space permitting, interested staff or faculty.
Participating Faculty Members
Todd Armstrong, Victoria Brown, Krista Bywater, Lesley Delmenico, Brigittine French, Chris Hunter, Peter Jacobson, Suchi Kapila, Leslie Lyons, Elaine Marzluff, Jenny Michaels, Wayne Moyer, Srdja Popovic, Elizabeth Prevost, Sarah Purcell, Monty Roper, Craig Upright, Timothy Werner, Eliza Willis, Shawn Womack, Mervat Youssef.
Anyone interested in being affiliated with the Peace and Conflict Studies IST or the Peace Studies steering committee should contact the Coordinator, Val Vetter <vetterv@grinnell.edu> or the chair of the committee, Professor Brigittine French <French@grinnell.edu>.
